ECE492K
Course Syllabus
1. Department: Electrical Engineering
Title: Special Topics - Optical
Communications
Number: ECE492K
Credit Hours: 3
Elective
2. Course Description:
The objective of this course is for students to learn modern experimental techniques in
optics and photonics in the context of learning about optical fiber communication
systems. Most electrical engineering students have only a minimal exposure to optics and
photonics. This course provides background in this area, both in the classroom and using
in the laboratory.
3. Prerequisite(s): none
4. Textbook(s) and/or other required material:
Optical Fiber Communications with CD-Rom, by Gerd Keiser, 3rd Edition, McGraw
Hill, 1999.
5. Course objectives. By the end of this course, the student should be able to: (use
demonstrative verbs)
1.Analyze the operation of LEDs, laser diodes, and PIN photodetectors (spectral
properties, bandwidth, and circuits) and apply in optical systems.
2.Explain the principles of, compare and contrast single- and multi-mode optical fiber
characteristics.
3.Analyze and design optical communication and fiber optic sensor systems.
4.Design, build, and demonstrate optical fiber experiments in the laboratory.
5.Locate, read, and discuss current technical literature dealing with optical fiber systems.
6. Topics covered (number of lectures per topic, based on 45 50-minute lectures per
semester):
1.Overview and safety issues of lasers and optical fibers: eyes, shocks, burns, splinters.
(2)
2.Overview of optical fiber communication system. (6)
3.Review of basic optics and laser beam properties, dispersion, data rates. (6)
4.Planar dielectric waveguides and integrated optics. (8)
5.Optical fiber waveguides: properties and fabrication. (4)
6.Sources, modulation, system components, and system design. (6)
7.Wavelength Division Multiplexing. (5)
8.Fiber sensors (if time permits). (2)
7. Class/laboratory schedule (sessions per week and duration of each session):
Three 50-minutes lectures per week, one 3 hours lab every two weeks.
8. Contribution of this course to the professional component (ABET Criterion 4)
General comments: None
Course content related to professional
Professional component
component
Basic math and science, some experimental (1
yr. required).
Engineering science and design (1.5 yrs.
required)
3 hours.
General education requirement
9. Relationship of this course to program learning outcomes:
Text description (optional): None
Learning Level of
Course content related to outcome
Outcome Instruction implementation/assessment
Outcome
A
Major
Basic laser theory is introduced. The control systems and the
necessary components used in modern optical
communications systems are taught.
Outcome B Major
Students learn basic photonics laboratory skills. They learn
how to prepare and cleave optical fiber, perform optical
alignments, electically and optically charaterize photonic
devices.
Outcome C Intermediate
Students design and build optical fiber experiments in the
laboratory.
Outcome
D
Students write a paper in journal format with proper
referencing that analyzes a topic in photonics. They also write
Intermediate group lab reports to document their experiments, draw
conclusions and build communication skills in a team
environment.
Outcome E Basic
Students learn how to calculate electromagnetic modes in
waveguides, the amount of light lost going through an optical
system, dispersion of optical fibers.
Outcome F Major
Students learn basic laser theory, and the the necessary
components and control systems that are necessary for lasers
to be useful in modern optical communication systems.
Outcome
G
Students write a paper in journal format that analyzes a topic
in photonics. They also write group lab reports to document
Major
their experiments, draw conclusions and build communication
skills in a team environment.
Outcome
H
Basic
Students are given opportunities to observe the impact of
modern telecommunication systems on society.
Outcome I Basic
Assignments which require web searches are given.
Outcome
K
Students learn how to use different types of photodetectors
and optical test equipment to analyse optical fiber and
lightwave systems.
Major
10. Date of preparation and person(s) who prepared this description:
John Muth, August 2003.